Imaging and eccentric atherosclerotic material laser remodeling and/or ablation catheter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A catheter system for removal of atherosclerotic material from a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
- an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween, the catheter having at least one window for transmission of laser energy near the distal end;
at least one optical conduit extending between the proximal end of the catheter and the at least one window;
an optical coherence tomographer coupled to the at least one optical conduit, the tomographer generating image signals from imaging light from a plaque, the imaging light transmitted through the at least one window and proximally along the optical conduit; and
an ablation laser coupled to the tomographer, the ablation laser transmitting plaque-ablating laser energy to the at least one optical conduit in response to the imaging signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods for treating atherosclerotic lesions and other disease states, particularly for treatment of vulnerable plaques, can incorporate optical coherence tomography or other imaging techniques which allow a structure and location of an eccentric plaque to be characterized. Remodeling and/or ablative laser energy can then be selectively and automatically directed to the appropriate plaque structures, often without imposing mechanical trauma to the entire circumference of the lumen wall.
537 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A catheter system for removal of atherosclerotic material from a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
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an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween, the catheter having at least one window for transmission of laser energy near the distal end;
at least one optical conduit extending between the proximal end of the catheter and the at least one window;
an optical coherence tomographer coupled to the at least one optical conduit, the tomographer generating image signals from imaging light from a plaque, the imaging light transmitted through the at least one window and proximally along the optical conduit; and
an ablation laser coupled to the tomographer, the ablation laser transmitting plaque-ablating laser energy to the at least one optical conduit in response to the imaging signals.
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2. A catheter system for remodeling of atherosclerotic material within a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
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an elongate catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween, the catheter having at least one window for transmission of laser energy near the distal end;
at least one optical conduit extending between the proximal end of the catheter and the at least one window;
an optical coherence tomographer coupled to the at least one optical conduit, the tomographer generating image signals from imaging light from a plaque, the imaging light transmitted through the at least one window; and
a remodeling laser coupled to the tomographer, the laser transmitting plaque-remodeling laser energy to the at least one optical conduit in response to the imaging signals. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 35)
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17. A catheter system for removal of atherosclerotic material from a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
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an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween, the catheter having at least one laterally oriented window disposed proximal of the distal end for radial transmission of optical energy;
at least one optical conduit extending between the proximal end of the catheter and the at least one window;
a tissue analyzer coupled to the at least one optical conduit, the analyzer generating image signals using light from a plaque, the light transmitted through the at least one window and proximally along the at least one optical conduit; and
an ablation laser coupled to the analyzer, the ablation laser transmitting plaque-ablating laser energy to the at least one optical conduit in response to the imaging signals such that the plaque is ablated eccentrically relative to the axis.
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18. A catheter system for remodeling of atherosclerotic material within a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
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an elongate catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween, the catheter having at least one laterally oriented window disposed proximal of the distal end for radial transmission of optical energy;
at least one optical conduit extending between the proximal end of the catheter and the at least one window;
a tissue analyzer coupled to the at least one optical conduit, the analyzer generating signals using light from a plaque, the light transmitted through the at least one window and proximally along the at least one optical conduit; and
a remodeling laser coupled to the analyzer, the remodeling laser transmitting plaque-remodeling laser energy to the at least one optical conduit in response to the signals such that the plaque is remodeled eccentrically relative to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method comprising:
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advancing a catheter into a blood vessel and positioning the catheter so that an axis of the catheter extends along an atherosclerotic plaque;
generating imaging signals from within the plaque using optical energy admitted radially into the catheter;
transmitting, in response to the imaging signals from within the plaque, plaque-ablating laser energy eccentrically from the catheter.
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33. A method comprising:
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advancing a catheter into a blood vessel and positioning the catheter so that an axis of the catheter extends along an atherosclerotic plaque;
generating signals from the plaque using optical energy admitted radially into the catheter;
transmitting, in response to the signals from within the plaque, plaque-remodeling laser energy eccentrically from the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification